In America, if you like a lipstick color, you just buy it. However, in Korea, buying lipstick is a science experiment.
You might have heard of Personal Color Analysis in Korea. Basically, it’s a diagnostic process where an expert drapes hundreds of colored fabrics under your chin to find the colors that make you look alive—and the ones that make you look like a zombie.
At first, I thought it was just a trend. Consequently, I was confident because I love orange and brown. “I am definitely an Autumn Warm Tone,” I told myself. Unfortunately, I was wrong.
Welcome to Level 1. Let me tell you how I paid $100 for a Personal Color Analysis in Seoul to find out I had been painting my face with the wrong colors for 26 years.
The Facepalm Files: My “Warm Tone” Disaster
Flashback: 1 year ago. A studio in Gangnam.
Walking into the color analysis studio, I was confidently wearing my favorite brick-red lipstick and a beige trench coat. Immediately, the analyst sat me down in front of a mirror and removed my makeup. Then, she started placing different colored cloths on my chest.
- The Horror: First of all, she put the Orange and Brown cloths (my favorite colors) on me. As a result, my face instantly turned yellow. Furthermore, my dark circles looked like bruises, and I looked like I had a liver problem.
- The Magic: On the other hand, when she put Pastel Pink and Sky Blue cloths on me, it was magic. My skin brightened, and my eyes popped. Even my jawline looked sharper.
The analyst smiled ruthlessly. “Alice, you are not Autumn Warm. Actually, you are Summer Cool Light. Please throw away your orange lipstick since it makes you look sick.”
Enter “Ssam”: The Philosophy of Korean Beauty
I met Ssam (my mentor) afterwards at a cafe. I was holding a trash bag full of my old makeup. “Ssam, my life is a lie. I can’t wear brown anymore!”
Ssam nodded sagely. “Alice, Personal Color isn’t about limiting you. Instead, it’s about Efficiency.”
He explained the philosophy: “Why waste time putting on makeup that fights your natural features? If you find your palette, you look better with less effort.”
Level 3 Wisdom: How to Prepare for Your Appointment
Don’t guess. Get tested. Therefore, here is your survival guide for Personal Color Analysis in Korea.
1. The Rules: Bare Face (Saeng-eol)
Above all, this is the most important rule.
- No Makeup: You must arrive with zero foundation, zero lipstick. Not even tinted sunscreen.
- No Colored Contacts: Wear clear lenses or glasses.
- Why: They need to see your natural skin undertone (Yellow base vs. Pink base). Otherwise, the diagnosis will be wrong.
2. Bring Your Pouch
Also, don’t go empty-handed. Bring your current makeup bag.
- The Inspection: After the color test, the consultant will sort your makeup into “Pass” or “Fail” bins.
- The Shock: Be prepared to lose your favorite lipstick. It hurts, but it is necessary.
3. The Shopping List (Olive Young Raid)
The analysis ends with product recommendations. Specifically, they will give you a list: “Buy Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint #25” or “Use Clio Palette #04.”
- Action: Go straight to Olive Young. Do not pass Go. Buy exactly what they told you.
Level 4: Why Are Koreans Obsessed with Personal Color?
(Ssam’s Cultural Insight)
Initially, you might think, “Why does it matter? I wear what I want.” But in Korea, Image is Competitiveness.
1. The 3-Second Rule
Korean society moves fast. Because people judge you in 3 seconds, looking “harmonious” gives you a massive advantage. In other words, Personal Color Analysis is the cheat code to pass that 3-second test.
2. Efficiency over Creativity
Moreover, Koreans love efficiency (Pali-Pali). Instead of experimenting with 100 bad lipsticks, they want to know the exact 5 lipsticks that work perfectly. Ultimately, it saves time and money. It is not just vanity; it is smart consumerism.
Alice’s Bottom Line: Trust the Cloth
I miss my orange lipstick sometimes. However, I don’t miss looking tired. Since switching to “Summer Cool” colors, people keep asking me: “Did you change your skincare? You look glowing.”
No, I just stopped fighting my DNA. Go get tested. Trust me, it’s the best $100 you will spend in Seoul.
Read This Next (Before You Make Another Mistake)
Now that your face is perfect, upgrade the rest of your life.
- Need to buy your new makeup? Don’t overspend. [The Olive Young Trap: Skincare Survival Guide]
- Want a new hairstyle to match? Don’t ask for “Magic.” [Korean Hair Salon Guide: The “Magic Straight” Trap]
- Going on a date with your new look? Know the rules. [The “Some” Trap: Korean Dating Culture Explained]